MEA 2009 China-Colombia

7/24/2019 MEA 2009 China-Colombia

1/25

WATERFORLIFE:Sustainableandinnovativewater

solutions

for

vulnerable

communities

Documentodetrabajo

Catalina Ramirez, PhD1, Jaime Plazas. Msc

2, Felipe Muoz, Phd

3

Juan Camilo Silva4; Miguel Angel Gonzlez

5, Ma. Paula Valderrama

6, Paula Gonzlez

7, Oscar

Vaca8, Diego Grisales

9

In Colombia, approximately 30% (13.6 million people) of the total population lives in rural

areas. Out of this 30%, the 39.7% do not have access to a water supply system, 60% do

not have sanitary units or a sewer system and only 11% have access to drinking water.

To train engineering students with social commitment [1], teachers and students of two

colleges of engineering have formed a group to conceive, design, implement and operate

specific technical solutions in Colombian marginal communities [2].

In this order, teachers and students from the departments of Civil Engineering,

Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Chemical Engineering of the

University Corporacin Universitaria Minuto de Dios (http://portal.uniminuto.edu) and the

University Universidad de los Andes (www.uniandes.edu.co) have been a consolidated

team since two years ago. This team has worked to design and to implement technology

for vulnerable communities in Colombia with solutions that are technically innovative,

1UniversidaddelosAndes AssistantProfessorIndustrialEngineering;

2UniversidaddelosAndes ProfessorEnvironmentEngineering

3UniversidaddelosAndes ChemicalProfessorIndustrialEngineering

4UniversidaddelosAndes IndustrialEngineeringstudent

5UniversidaddelosAndes IndustrialEngineeringstudent/NankaiUniversitystudent

6UniversidaddelosAndesIndustrialEngineeringand economiststudent

7UniversidaddelosAndesIndustrialEngineeringand economiststudent

8UniversidaddelosAndesIndustrialEnvironmentEngineeringstudent

9CorporacinUniversitariaelMinutodeDiosCivilEngineeringstudent


2/25

2

economically, socially and ecologically sustainable and culturally appropriate[2]. Recently

we have joined efforts with a group of engineering students from Nankai University

(http://env.nankai.edu.cn/en/) in China, with whom we have been sharing technical

information in order to improve the water filter technology and implement it in Colombia

and China.

To consolidate this Community Innovation Projects CIP, we have taken a specific line of

work in the design and implementation of relevant technology to improve the water quality

of marginal communities. The projects goal is not only to design technically and

economically feasible solutions, but to allow the community to adopt and use it properly.

This team-project presents the proposal of the initial work teams, the proposal of the

design and implementation of the filter through the accessible design and implementation

technology and the alliance and coordination between universities and the communities.

The team-project presents as well the results obtained up until now from the

implementation of the technology in specific rural community in Colombia.

The projects long term goal is to improve the quality of life of rural communities through

the improvement of the quality of water, in order to reduce deaths related to the

consumption of non treated water.

References

[1] Aldana, E. Reyes, A. (2004). Disolver problemas: Criterio para la formular proyectos

sociales.

[2] CDIO. http://cdio.org. Retrieve on February 15 (2008).

Table

of

content

1.Introduction................................................................................................................... .................. 5

2.Problem ........................................................................................................................................... 5

3.Objectives........................................................................................................................................ 5

4.Characterizationofthecommunity ................................................................................................ 6

4.1.Generalinformation................................................................................................................. 6


3/25

3

4.1.1. Geographicinformation .............................................................................................. 6

4.1.2. Economy...................................................................................................................... 6

4.1.3.

Society ......................................................................................................................... 6

4.1.4. Health .......................................................................................................................... 7

4.1.5. Education..................................................................................................................... 7

4.1.6. Utilities ........................................................................................................................ 7

4.2. Characterizationoftheinitialfamilies ................................................................................ 8

4.2.1. Leonelsfamily............................................................................................................. 8

4.2.2. Adnsfamily ............................................................................................................... 9

4.2.3. Jorgesfamily............................................................................................................. 10

4.2.4. Carlossfamily ........................................................................................................... 10

4.3Characterizationofthefamilies(secondstage)...................................................................... 11

4.3.1Casa1 .............................................................................................................................. . 11

4.3.2Casa2 .............................................................................................................................. . 11

4.3.3Casa3 .............................................................................................................................. . 12

4.3.4Casa4 .............................................................................................................................. . 13

4.3.5Casa5 .............................................................................................................................. . 14

4.3.6Casa

6 .............................................................................................................................. . 14

4.3.7Casa7 .............................................................................................................................. . 14

4.3.8Casa8 .............................................................................................................................. . 15

4.3.9Casa9 .............................................................................................................................. . 16

5. Slowsandfilter.......................................................................................................................... 17

5.1. Description ........................................................................................................................ 17

5.2. Filteringprocess ................................................................................................................ 17

5.3. Designparameters ............................................................................................................ 19

5.4. Maintenance ..................................................................................................................... 21

5.4.1. MaterialsCost ........................................................................................................... 21

5.4.2. FilterConstruction..................................................................................................... 22

5.4.3. Testsappliedtoeachfilter ........................................................................................ 24


4/25

4


5/25

5

1.

Introduction

It is not uncommon for engineers around the world to neglect social issues and problems that

mustbesolvedsofuturegenerationscanliveinamorejustsociety.Thisisthereasonwhyagroup

ofstudentsandprofessors fromtheUniversidadde losAndesandtheCorporacionUniversitaria

Uniminuto have created CIP, Community Innovation Project inspired by the worldwide

organizationknownasEngineersWithoutBorders.

CurrentlyCIPismadeupofindustrialengineers,civilengineersandenvironmentalengineers.

2.

Problem

The problem of concern is the shortage of drinkable water in the area. The projects goal is to

improve the quality of the water to improve the communitys quality of life and reduce the

probabilityofcontractingdiseases.

Currentlythewatercomesfromasourcelocatedonprivateproperty,wherearecollectiontankis

located,fromwhichwaterisdistributedtotherestofthevillage.Thewaterfromthistankdoesnt

receiveanytypeoftreatmentand,initscurrentstateitisnotaptforhumanconsumption.

3.

Objectives

CIPsmainobjective istocontributeto thedevelopmentofsocietythroughthe implementation

anddevelopmentoftechnology,especiallyinthosecommunitiesthathavebeenforgottenbythe

restofsociety.

With this inmind,CIPplans to improvethequalityofthecommunityseveryday drinkingwater

throughsustainablesolutions.


6/25

6

4.

Characterization

of

the

community

4.1.Generalinformation

ThedistrictiscalledTorresandislocatedtothenorthofthemunicipalityofGuayabaldeSiquima.

Currentlythereareapproximately30familiesdistributedamongstvariousareas.Ourmainareaof

concernishighTorres,wherethedistrictsaqueductoperates,andwhere17familiesarelocated.

4.1.1. Geographicinformation

Guayabal de Siquima is located northwest of Bogota. It limits with Villeta to the north, with

Anolaimatothesouth,withAlbantotheeastandwithBituimatothewest.

Insidethedistrictthereare twomainsourcesofwater: thesourcewherethe aqueductswater

inlet is locatedandasmallstreamfromwhichthe inhabitantsobtainthewatertheyusetofeed

thelivestock.

Thereareatotalofthreeroutesofaccesstothissector:onethatcomesfromtheTrinidaddistrict,

anotherfromtheChimbedistrictandthelastonefromtheVilletadistrict.

There is a single transportation service which is costly for the inhabitants10. The roads are in a

goodstate

even

though

they

are

not

paved.

However

there

is

ahigh

risk

of

landslides.

4.1.2. Economy

The only economic activity is agriculture, specifically sugar cane, corn and coffee. Most of the

peopleown farmsareapproximately2to5 fanegadas11 insize.Thepeoplework in larger farms

(10to305fanegadas)whichproducebrownsugarloafandcoffeeandwhoseowners live inthe

farm.

4.1.3. Society

106000COPuntilthecabeceramunicipal

11Eachfanegadaisequivalentto6800squaremeters.


7/25

7

A large partof the population is madeup of adultssincemostof the younger peoplehave left

searching for better opportunities. The average size of a family ranges from 4 to 6 people.

Approximately10%ofthepopulationcantreadorwrite.ThereisastrongbeliefinLaVirgendel

Carmenas

can

be

observed

in

the

presence

of

flags

with

her

image

on

them

at

the

entrance

of

severalhouses.

4.1.4. Health

Thelifeexpectancyforwomenrangesbetween70and80years.Thelifeexpectancyformenis70

years. The main causes of death are violence and advanced age. There are mosquitoes all year

roundwhichcauseseveraldiseases.

Thenearest

health

center

is

located

in

Guayabal.

In

case

that

specialized

treatment

is

required

the

personisremittedtoFacatativa.Inordertogettothehealthcenter,theinhabitantsmusttakea

bus.

Thecommunityschildrenhavereceivedshots.Themayorsofficehashealthcampaignsevery4

months,butmostoftheinhabitantsofthecommunityhaveneverassisted.

4.1.5. Education

Thereis

aprimary

school

in

the

district,

which

has

20

students.

There

are

also

3high

schools

in

the

region:oneinGuayabal,oneinChimbeandanotherinSanJulian.

4.1.6. Utilities

Water is provided by the districts aqueduct. Electricity is provided by CODENSA12 and by the

ElectrificadoradeCundinamarca,bothofthemcharacterizedbyhighprices.Therearenophone

linessotheinhabitantsmustcommunicatebycellphone.

The

aqueduct

exists

approximately

10

years

ago.

At

first

there

was

a

small

tank

which

wasreplaced with a larger one 3 yearsago. This tankdoesnthave any filteringsystem which has a

noticeableimpactonthequalityofthewaterobtainedfromit.

Sixmonthsagotheaqueductwaslegalized.Duringthisprocessthecommunitywasaccompanied

by the municipal spokesperson. The community gathered the money required to pay the

12UtilityCompanywhichprovidesenergytoBogotandCundinamarca.


8/25

8

legalization costs: 420000 COP at the CAR13 and 30000 COP at the Chamber of Commerce. The

presidentoftheaqueductisMr.DionelRiao.

Recentlythe

water

storage

tank

has

been

failing.

There

have

also

been

distribution

problems

due

to lack of pressure. Furthermore, the water source is located on private property which makes

access difficult and increases the risk of contamination due to the presence of livestock on the

farm.DuringthemonthsofJulyandAugustthereareshortagesofwaterandfood.

4.2.Characterizationoftheinitialfamilies

Thefamilieschosenfortheprojectsinitialphasewerethefollowing:

- Leonels

family.

- Adnsfamily.

- Jorgesfamily.

- Carlossfamily.

4.2.1. Leonelsfamily

Leonellivesbyhimselfandisvisitedeverynowandthenbyhisfamily.Hishomeismadeofbrick,

itpossessessturdycolumnsandbeamswhichaddresistancetothehouse.Thehouseiscomposed

by

2

bedrooms,

a

dining

room,

kitchen

and

a

bathroom.

A

diagram

of

the

house

is

presented

below:

The water filter wasplaced outside thehouse,near theentrance tothekitchenandbeside the

guaduafence.

13CorporacinAutonomaRegional:Governmententityresponsiblefortheadministrationandprotectionof

astatesnaturalresources.


9/25

9

4.2.2. Adns

family

AdanisaretiredemployeefromtheSecretaradeObrasPblicasdeBogot.Hehaslived7years

in thedistrict.Hemovedherebecausehesufferedaheartattackandhisdoctor recommended

thathemovestowarmerplace.

Hisfamilyvisitshimevery15daysandsometimeshiswifeandhischildrenstaywithhimduring

the weekend but generally he lives by himself. He grows coffee and bananas and also raises

chickens.

The

main

pipe

(which

comes

directly

from

the

water

supply

tank)

is

split

in

two.

One

of

these

is

connected to the tank located at his houses entrance. In this tank the water coming from the

watersupplytank ismixedwithrainwaterwhich isthenusedtowashclothesandcoffee.Adan

boilsthedrinkingwaterbutsayshewouldliketogetsomebleach.

Thebathroomislocatedbehindhishouseinaseparatestructure.Ontopofthisstructurethereis

atankwhichprovidesthewaterheuses inthebathroomandkitchen.Sewage isdeposited ina

septictanklocatedbehindthebathroom.

Thepicturebelowshowsthepossiblelocationforthewaterfilter,besidetheyellowwindow.


10/25

10

4.2.3. Jorgesfamily

The

water

from

the

aqueduct

reaches

a

tank

located

approximately

50

meters

from

the

house

(downhill). This tank is open since and a pump is located on top of it in order for the water to

reach thehouse.This tank is fullof leaves,dead insects, larvaeandotherunidentifiedparticles.

Thewaterreachesthehousethroughahose.

Thebathroomislocatedbehindthehouseinaseparatestructure.Thetanklocatedonthetopof

thebathroomandalsohasinsectsinsideofiteventhoughitisclosed.

Thefilterwillbe installednexttothekitchen.Themaindifficulty isthepossible lackofpressure

duetothe locationofthetankandconsequentlythepossible lackofaconstantwatersupplyto

thefilter.

4.2.4. Carloss

family


11/25

11

CarlosiscurrentlylivingbyhimselfsincehiswifeisinBogotduetohealthproblems.Helivesina

very old house built from guadua, mud and other materials which are typically found in these

homes.

Insidethehousethereare2largebedroomsandakitchenwithagasstoveandafirewoodstove.

The kitchenwith the firewoodstove is located beside the house while thekitchen with thegas

stove is located inaseparatebuildingnexttothebathroom.On topofthebathroomthere isa

500Lreservetank.

Thefilterwillbeplacednexttothegreentankshowninthepictureabove.

4.3Characterizationofthefamilies(secondstage)

Inthissecondpartoftheproject,wefinishedthefilterinstalationforninefamiliesmissing.This

sectionaimstoshowasmallcharacterizationofthefamiliesandtheprocessofinstallinfthe

filters.

4.3.1

Casa

1

4.3.2Casa2

The house is the one with the most difficult access in the village, is located amidst trees and

plants;Thewatercomesfromatank locatedontopofahilland iscoveredbytrees,makingthe

waterdownwithfallenleavesorsmallanimals.


12/25

12

Thekitchen

and

bathroom

are

located

on

the

side

of

the

house

and

way

back.

Thephotobelowshowsthepossiblelocationforthewaterfilter,infrontofthekitchen.

Another difficulty faced by the state

house is the bathroom and kitchen,

because in the kitchen the owner takes

out the garbage burning, which can be

anothersourceofcontamination.

4.3.3

Casa

3

This house belongs to the family of Gloria Arvalo, it

counts with public services as electricity, water

(aqueductof

the

community)

and

gas.

The

family

has

3

childrenwhohaveschoolattendance.

With regard to the characteristics of the house:

Donothavedrainagechannelsfordisposalorcleaning

water.

Have septic tank. Bathrooms are in good condition.

The house has only 1 room for 6 people in the house.

Tank


13/25

13

The filter was located adjacent to the kitchen, so that we could make a direct

wing committed to ensure the comfort cuisine in its use and therefore have a

highutilizationrate.

4.3.4

Casa

4

The house has to

differenttypeofkitchen,one isthetraditionaloneandtheotherone isbasedonwood.Asthe

ownerswanttochangethelocationofthekitchen,thewaterfilterislocatedbehindthekitchen,

so when the new kitchen is working they dont have to move again the filter, they have to

relocatingthepipeline.

Thenewlocationofthekitchen


14/25

14

4.3.5

Casa

5

4.3.6

Casa

6

Manuelisthecurrentresponsibleforthehouse;heliveswithhiswifeandhistwoChilds.The

housecountswithpublicservices.Although,ithasgasinthekitchentheyprefertocookonwood,

because,itischeaper.

Thehousehas3bedrooms,1bathroom.Ingeneralthehouseisinacceptableconditions.The

familyisdedicatedtotheraisingofchickens,forthatreasonthehouseissurroundedbyameshto

prevententryofanimalsintothecommonspaces.

Thefilter

was

ubiccated

in

the

back

of

the

house,

near

to

the

kitchen.

4.3.7

Casa

7

JoseAntonioliveswithhiswifeandhissoninanoldhousewith2bedrooms,akitchenandasmall

diningroom.Thishousehasntbathroomown, insteadof it,theyhaveasepticfosseneartothe

house.Thehousecountswithpublicservices,exceptforthetelephoneservice.


15/25

15

JoseAntonioandhissonarefarmersandhiswifeLeylaishousewife.Forthisreason,thefilterwas

located near to kitchen with the purposeof to have the water supply in thisplace, near to the

kitchen,becauseshehasntwaterinthekitchen.

4.3.8

Casa

8

Thishousehasthebiggestproblemwithwaterquality,becausethishouseconsumeswaterofa

differentsourceandthispresenthighturbidity.

CesarGarayistheresponsibleforthisfamilyandheliveswithhiswifeandhistwochildrenina

houseinrelativegoodcondition,butwithawaterserviceverypoor.

Filterwasputinthekitchenclosetothedishwasherandclosetowheretheytakeoutwaterfor

consume.

kitchen


16/25

16

4.3.9Casa9

TheownerofthishouseisMr. Gilbertohilivestherewithhiswifea5yearsoldgirl.Mr.Gilberto

hasmoresonsbuttheydontlivewithhim.

kitchen


17/25

17

Number9houseorMr.GilbertoisthebestofVeredaTorresbecauseithas2goodbathrooms,

kitchen,bedrooms,diningandotherthing.

Italso

has

it

is

own

water

supply,

wich

comes

from

the

ground

of

the

farm,

and

he

has

areservoir

ofabout8to10m3.

IntotheformislocatedthereservoirandthewaterthatsuppliesalltheVeredaTorresthefilter

islocatedonaconcreteplateovertheprivatebathroom,wichsuppliesthekitchenallthetime.

5. Slow

sand

filter

5.1.Description

The slow sand filter implemented in Torres is a simple system of crude water treatment. This

watermaycomefromsourcesofsupplyorrainwater.Themainpurposeofthefilteristoimprove

thequalityofthewaterthatisconsumedbythefamiliesthatlivethere.Thisprocessofthewater

quality improvement consists in the removal of the water pathogens that promote diarrheal

diseasesandhealthproblemsingeneral.

5.2.Filteringprocess

When the filter begins its operation, the water flowthat is controlled by a floater valve goes

through the filter bed, who consists in two sand layers of different specific diameter and one

gravellayerthatfunctionassupportmaterialforthesand.

At thebeginning, the filter will not be completely efficient, because the filter bed works with a

superficialbiological layer,whoneedsamaturationperiodtomakeaturbidityefficientremoval.


18/25

18

This process will take from 2 to 3 weeks14. In the period of maturation, the organic matter in

waterflowwillbegintoberemovedbythefilterbed,causingthatthesandporesbecomesmaller

andtherefore

more

selective.

As

aresult

of

that,

an

accumulation

of

organic

matter

will

take

place

inthefilterbed,whichwillbedecomposedbythemicroorganismsthat livethere,acting likean

indirect disinfection agent. After that, the water that has crossed the filter bed is caught and

leaded by a drainage network, taking it out of the system to the exit line, ready for the

consumption.Thequalityoftheexitwatercanbedescribedintermsoftheremovalpercentage,

which is more than 95% of microorganisms (total Coliforms and E. Coli), therefore for a total

disinfectionispossibletodosedropsofchlorinetothetreatedwater.

14 Thisperiodofmaturationonlyappliesatthemomentinthatthetankentersinoperationthefirsttime,

becauseafteramaintenanceprocesstheperiodisonlyof1to2days.

Thewaterentersandthe

particlesremaininthe

Thefiltermatures,increasingits

selectivity(Thematuration

ro ressma takeseveralda s

Thebiologicallayerhelpsto

disinfectthewater


19/25

19

Figure2.Filtrationandmaturationofthefilterbed

Figure3.WaterDrainageSystem.

5.3.Designparameters

Thefilterbedisformedbyafinesandlayerandacoarsesandlayer,thissandshaveaspecificsize

of0,3 0,45mmand0.7 1,2mmrespectively,allthisfilterbedissupportedbyagravellayerof1

2cmofdiameter(Toseefigure4).

Foranefficientremovalofthemicroorganisms,itisnecessarythattheselayersofmaterialhavea

specificthickness.

For

the

case

of

the

fine

sand

the

thickness

of

the

layer

is

40cm,

for

the

case

of

theheavysandthethicknessofthelayeris15cmandfinallythelayerofgravelhasathicknessof

15cm.Thisisthelayersorderindescendentsequence.

This material is disposed in a polythene barrel, with a capacity of 40 liters. According to the

parameters of the filter bed, that were mentioned previously, the filter this in the capacity of

produce approximately 70 liters of water per hour, which is necessary to satisfy the needsof a

Thewateriscaughtbythe

drainagenetworkandits

readytobeprovided.


20/25

20

familyof5people.Itisimportanttowashthematerialbeforeofputtingitonthebarrel,inorder

toeliminatepresentimpuritiesandmicroorganismsthatcancontaminatethefiltrateprocess.

Thedrainagenetworkthislocatedinthegravellayerthatmaintainsthesystem.ThisPVCdrainage

networkisfishskeletonshaped(ToseeFigure5);itsdistributedinthebaseofthebarrelwiththe

purposeofcatchallthetreatedwaterandtransportsittothedistributionorconsumptionpoint.

Finally the filter counts with a water entrance line, that allows to the water entrance to be

connectedwiththesource,andsimultaneously itallows todisconnect the filter from thewater

supplywithavalve,incaseoftransferorrepair(Toseefigure6).Inthesamewaythefiltercounts

onalineofexitthatallowsthedistributionofthewaterforconsumption(Toseefigure6).

Figure5.DrainageNetwork.

Figure 4. Filter Bed Structure

Universalvalve.

Connectionto

Connection

to

water

distributionpipe.


21/25

21

Figure6.FilterEntranceandExitLines.

5.4.Maintenance

Themaintenanceofthesandfilterisassimpleasthetechnologyis.Itconsistsonremoveapartof

theBiological layerthathasbeenformedduringaperiodof6months,which istheaveragetime

ofoperation.

Theremovalshouldberealizedinthefollowingway:

Thesuperior5cmofthefinesand layerhastoberemoved,andreplacedwithsandofthesame

characteristics.

Thats

because

after

the

average

period

of

operation,

the

biological

layer

has

growntoomuchandpreventsthenormalflowofthewater.

After the replacement of the sand layer, is necessary to wait for the maturation of the filter,

maturationthatwillbefasterthistime,only1to2days.Inthisperiod isrecommendablenotto

usethewaterforhumanconsumption.

5.4.1. MaterialsCost

Thenexttableshowstherequiredmaterials,theirsunitaryvalueandthetotalvalue15:

15CostareinCOP.


22/25

22

5.4.2. FilterConstruction

ThefilterconstructionbeganonFebruary22of2008,afterthepurchaseofthepertinent

materials.

The

construction

procedure

was

the

following

one:

1. Constructionoffirstthedrainagesystem:

2. Determination of the exit key height, according to the height of an average bucket, doing

simplerthewaterharvesting.


23/25

23

3. Hydraulic

teststo

determine

the

reason

between

the

water

produced

by

the

filter

and

the

waterprovidedtothefilter.Ifthereasonhasaverysmallvalue,thefiltermustbecorrected.

4. Correctioninthedrainagesystem:Additionoftubesandholestoincreasethepickuparea.

5. Perforationofthewaterexithole:

Measureandmarktheheightsthatcorrespondtoeachpartofthefilterbed,andthenfillthe

barrelwiththedifferentmaterials.


24/25

24

Heightmarks

Barrelwiththefilterbed

5.4.3. Testsappliedtoeachfilter

Thetestsperformedtoeachfilterwerethefollowingones:

- TotalColiformsandE.Coli

- Turbidity

- Color

- pH

- Hardness

The filtersshowed improvements inTotalColiforms,E.Coli,TurbidityandColor.Theparameters

used as reference for the filter efficiency were Total Coliforms and E.Coli, because these are

directlyassociated

with

microorganism

activity,

that

may

cause

human

health

diseases.

The filter efficiency in Total Coliforms and E.Coli removal was over the 99% for all the tests on

filtersalreadymatured.Someofthetestsareshowninthenextgraphic:


25/25

25

TotalColiformsRemoval

MEA 2009 China-Colombia

Documents